Shirt

ABSTRACT

A new and improved shirt is disclosed. The shirt of the present invention includes an adjustable neck which can increase or decrease in size as required by the wearer. The top fastener of the shirt is located at the top of the fastening panel, rather than on a neckband, allowing the edges of the shirt at the neck to slide apart when an increase in neck circumference is desired while the fastener remains closed. Additionally, the collar line of the present shirt is cut at an angle with the overlap and underlap aligned with the ends of a neckband (though the presence of a neckband is optional) and collar to present a neater, smoother look to the collar line of the shirt. In one embodiment, the shirt includes a placket front. The shirt can be worn either as a dress shirt or, in one embodiment, is a sport shirt when worn without a tie.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In the world of fashion, attempts at combining style and comforthave proven to be problematic at best. Quite often, what is consideredto be attractive can be uncomfortable to wear for any extended period oftime. Conversely, what is comfortable to wear can be too casual inappearance for dress or business attire.

[0002] The design of men's dress shirts is one specific area of fashionwhere this dichotomy has been difficult to overcome. For example, in thepast, many attempts have been made to create an attractive shirt whichmay also comfortably be worn with a tie. Dress shirts worn with a tietend to become uncomfortably tight, especially at the neck. Thistightness can be from many possible sources. For example, the desiredshirt material may shrink upon laundering, causing the neckline of theshirt to actually decrease in circumference. Additionally, the wearer'sneck can increase slightly in size over the course of a day, causing ashirt which fit comfortably in the morning to feel too tight byafternoon. Often, the wearer will attempt to alleviate neck constrictionby unbuttoning the top button under the knot of the tie. This canpresent an unsightly appearance, however, because the shirt can gap andslip causing the neckband to become visible above or below the knot ofthe tie.

[0003] Other problems encountered with shirts in the past involve theoverall appearance of the shirt, whether worn with or without a tie. Forexample, when a tie is worn with a buttoned shirt, the distance betweenthe top button, usually on the neckband of the shirt, and the nextbutton, on the fastening panel, can be such that the material can puckeror bunch, causing a gap to form between the underlap and the overlapportions of the fastening panel. This effect can be even more pronouncedwhen the top button has been unfastened under the knot of the tie in anattempt to loosen the shirt at the neck.

[0004] Often, when a shirt is worn without a tie, in an open-neckarrangement, the overall look of the collar area, particularly thecollar line, can be considered unattractive by both those wearing theshirt as well as those seeing the shirt on others. For purposes of thisinvention, the collar line is defined as the line formed by the outeredges of the fastening panel, the neckband (when present) and the collarin the completed garment. Additionally, the collar area of a shirt isdefined to include the chest, neck, and collar sections of a shirt. Inprior art garments the collar line can present a jagged line with theseparate sections of the shirt pieced together in a disharmoniousmanner. Additionally, when worn without a tie, the edge formed where thecollar folds over at the neck often forms a sharp, inverted V shape.Many wearers would prefer a smoother, less angular look to the chest andcollar area of the shirt.

[0005] As such, a need exists for a shirt which can be comfortably andattractively worn throughout the day with a tie, and can also present aneat, elegant appearance when worn in either a dress or casual setting.The shirt of the present invention fulfills this need by providing notonly comfort through an adjustable neck size but also a smooth,attractive presentation when worn either with or without a tie.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention is directed to a shirt which includes anadjustable neck size. In one embodiment, the shirt includes an underlap,an overlap, a neckband and a collar. The underlap and overlap togethercan form a fastening panel, allowing for closure between the two sidesof the shirt front. The underlap includes a top edge near the shirtcollar and a bottom edge at a distance from the shirt collar with thetop edge being narrower than the bottom edge. The overlap, similarly,can have a top edge near the shirt collar which is narrower than itsbottom edge. The top edges of the underlap and overlap can be attachedto the bottom edge of the neckband. The underlap top edge can beattached to the bottom edge of the neckband at one end of the neckbandand the overlap top edge can be similarly attached to the bottom edge ofthe neckband at the other end of the neckband. The bottom edge of thecollar can then be attached to the top edge of the neckband. The variouspieces of the shirt can be aligned with each other, such that theexterior edge of the underlap, one side edge of the neckband and oneside edge of the collar can be aligned to form one continuous, unbrokenline on the underlap side of the shirt. Similarly, the exterior edge ofthe overlap, the second side edge of the neckband and the second sideedge of the collar can be aligned to form a second continuous, unbrokenline on the overlap side of the shirt. In one embodiment, these firstand second lines of the shirt can be mirror images of each other.

[0007] In order that the top edges of the underlap and the overlap arenarrower than their corresponding bottom edges, the exterior edges ofthe overlap and the underlap can be cut at an angle at a distance fromtheir upper edges. Generally, both the overlap and underlap can be cutat an angle from vertical having a value of between about 10° and about45°. Specifically, the overlap and underlap can be cut at an angle fromvertical having a value of between about 15° and about 40°. In oneembodiment, the overlap and underlap can be cut at an angle fromvertical having a value of about 20°. The bottom edges of the overlapand the underlap can be from about 1.0 inches to about 2.0 inches inwidth. The top edge of the overlap and the underlap can be narrower thanthe corresponding bottom edges. For example, the top edges can be lessthan about 75% of the width of the bottom edges of the underlap and theoverlap.

[0008] The top fastener of the shirt is located on the fastening panelof the shirt and provides some form of removable attachment between theoverlap and the underlap in order to promote shirt closure. In oneembodiment, the top fastener can be on the fastening panel less thanabout two inches below the bottom edge of the neckband. The top fastenercan be, for instance, a button, a snap, a stud, a hook, hook and loop,or the like.

[0009] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, theoverlap and the underlap can extend upward and connect directly to thecollar of the shirt, with no neckband between the two. In such anembodiment, the distance between the top button and the top of thefastening panel may be at least about 1.5 inches. In any case, no matterhow far up the collar line the fastening panel extends, the top fasteneron the shirt can be at a point at least about 1.5 inches below the foldline of the collar area.

[0010] In one particular embodiment of the shirt, the overlap andunderlap can form a placket front on the shirt. In general, the placketcan be less than about 15 inches in length as measured from the top ofthe fastening panel to the bottom edge of the overlap. Morespecifically, in an embodiment wherein a neckband is located between thefastening panel and the collar, the placket can be less than about 13inches in length.

[0011] In order to make the shirt front stiffer and able to stand fairlystraight, even when worn without a tie, any or all of the underlap, theoverlap, the neckband and the collar can include an inner layer such as,for example an interfacing material.

[0012] When fully assembled, the shirt will include a shirt body, withthe underlap and overlap attached to either side of the shirt body attheir respective inner edges, the collar of the shirt attached to theshirt body, and left and right sleeves attached to the shirt body at theappropriate locations. The shirt body may or may not include a neckband,as desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,including the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, isset forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification,including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a view of a portion of the collar area of one embodimentof the shirt of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 when worn witha tie;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a view of the collar area of one embodiment of the shirtof the present invention when worn in an open neck fashion;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a view of a portion of the collar area of a prior artshirt; and

[0018]FIG. 5 is a view of a portion of the collar area of an alternativeembodiment of the shirt of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art thatthe present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only,and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the presentinvention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplaryconstruction.

[0020] In general, the present invention is directed toward an improvedshirt. More specifically, the shirt of the present invention has anadjustable neck size and an improved collar line appearance. The shirtprovides not only an improved look for the wearer, but also, when wornwith a tie, can provide a comfortable fit at the neck over an extendedperiod. For example, merely by loosening or tightening a tie, thepresent shirt can self-adjust to the desired neck circumference of thewearer. The shirt can be a comfortable, attractive shirt when worn witha tie and additionally, in one particular embodiment, can be anattractive sport shirt when worn in an open-neck style.

[0021] In the past, problems have been encountered with shirts, andspecifically shirt collar construction, due to shrinkage of the shirt atthe neck and/or increase in size of the wearer's neck. Either of thesephenomenon can cause the shirt to be uncomfortably tight at theneckline. As such, the inventor has devised a shirt having an adjustableneck size without the need of additional attachments or tabs. In fact,the present shirt can be manufactured using less material than similarshirts of the past.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a portion of the collar area of one possibleembodiment of the shirt of the present invention 10 is shown. The shirtof the present invention can be constructed of various separate piecesof material which can then be connected to form the shirt. The manner offorming the shirt is not critical to the present invention. For example,in one possible embodiment, the shirt may be hand stitched.Alternatively, the shirt of the present invention may be machinestitched in a single shirt production process or alternatively in amulti-shirt industrial production setting. Additionally, the varioussections of the shirt may be joined together by stitching, heat fusingor any other suitable means known in the art.

[0023] Shirt 10 includes an underlap 12 and an overlap 14 wherefastening devices, such as buttons and button holes can be located.Underlap 12 and overlap 14 together form the fastening panel of theshirt. The underlap 12 and overlap 14 can extend the entire length ofthe shirt, as in conventional dress shirts, or alternatively, can form aplacket, as illustrated in FIG. 3, which extends only part of the waydown the front of the shirt, such that the shirt is a pull-over shirt.For example, in one embodiment, wherein the fastening panel of the shirtis in the form of a placket, the placket can be between about 5 inchesand about 15 inches in length as measured from the top edge of thefastening panel to the bottom edge of the overlap. More particularly,the placket can be between about 8 inches and about 14 inches in length.In one particular embodiment, the placket can be about 11 inches inlength as measured from the top edge of the fastening panel to thebottom edge of the overlap.

[0024] In such an embodiment, that is, a placket fronted shirt, when theshirt is worn without a tie, it will be in the style of a sport shirt.In this as in other embodiments however, the shirt may alternatively beworn with a tie to present a more formal appearance. When thisparticular embodiment of the shirt is worn with a tie, the tie can coverthe placket and the shirt can be essentially indistinguishable from aconventional dress shirt. In general, the placket can be designed toextend far enough down the chest of the shirt to allow for theattachment of a tie tack to the fastening panel of the shirt.

[0025] The shirt of the present invention can be made of any suitablematerial. For example, the shirt can be a cotton, polyester, knit, silk,wool, cotton blend or any other fabric-type material. Differentembodiments of the shirt can also include any desired variations instyle. For example, the shirt can have one or two front pockets whichcan in turn include buttons. Additionally, the shirt can belong-sleeved, short-sleeved or ¾ sleeved. The collar of the shirt can bebutton-down or include no buttons. The shirt collar can include stayswithin the collar to insure a stiff edge to the collar. Such variationsare not per se a part of the present invention.

[0026] Referring again to FIG. 1, the underlap 12 includes top button 15and button 17. The number of buttons included on the fastening paneldepends on desired design of the shirt. In general, top button 15 andbutton 17 will be separated by a distance of from about 2 inches toabout 4 inches. More specifically, top button 15 and button 17 can beabout 3 inches apart. When additional buttons are included down thefront of the shirt, they can be separated by a distance equal to theseparation distance of top button 15 and button 17, though this is notan essential feature of the invention. Overlap 14 includes correspondingtop button hole 21 and button hole 22. In general, top button hole 21can be horizontal, to allow for a better fit and material lie at theneck, though this is not essential to the present invention. Thoughbuttons are shown on shirt 10, any other suitable manner of closing theshirt would be acceptable.

[0027] In general, in order to provide for closure of the shirt front,at least one fastening device can be attached to either the underlap orthe overlap and can be removably attached to the other. For example, atop button 15 can be attached to the underlap 12 by sewing. Top buttonhole 21 on the overlap 14 provides for a method of removably attachingtop button 15 to the overlap 14 thereby closing the shirt front. Inaddition to buttons, snaps, hooks, studs, hook and loop, or any othersuitable fastener could be employed to close the shirt front, as long asa removable attachment can be formed between the overlap and theunderlap allowing the shirt front to be closed. The shirt front caninclude only one removable attachment, for example, only one fastenernear the neckband of the shirt or one strip of hook and loop down thefastening panel of the shirt, or alternatively can include a series offasteners down the fastening panel of the shirt, such as a row of snapsor buttons. Additionally, the top fastener can be of a different formthan the other fasteners. For example, the top fastener could be a studwhile buttons could be used down the remainder of the fastening panel.

[0028] When several fasteners are included on the shirt, the number offasteners can depend on the length of the fastening panel and thedistance desired between the closures. For example, in the placketfronted embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, three buttons are includedbelow the top button, for a total of 4 buttons, usually placedequidistant from each other. Alternatively, a longer placket can beformed on the shirt including four buttons below the top button, for atotal of five buttons on the placket. Greater numbers of closures canusually be found on those embodiments including an open fronted shirt.

[0029] Of course, the shirt of the present invention can close in themanner of a man's shirt, with the left side of the shirt overlapping theright side of the shirt, or alternatively can close with the overlapbeing on the right side of the shirt, in the manner of a woman's shirt.

[0030] In general, top button 15 is located on underlap 12 a distancebelow underlap top edge 13. For example, in the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 1, top button 15 can be located on underlap 12 such that thecenter of top button 15 is less than about three inches below underlaptop edge 13. Specifically, top button 15 can be located on underlap 12such that the center of top button 15 is less than about two inchesbelow underlap top edge 13. More particularly, top button 15 can belocated such that the center of top button 15 is about 0.5 inches belowunderlap top edge 13.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, shirt 10 includes line 24 and line 26. Line24 can be defined as the line created by the alignment of the exterioredge of underlap 12, one side edge of neckband 16 and one side edge ofcollar 18. Similarly, line 26 can be defined as the line created by thealignment of the exterior edge of overlap 14, the other side edge ofneckband 16, and the other side edge of collar 18.

[0032] At a point, A, on the exterior edge of underlap 12, line 24 canbe altered from a vertical direction to a new direction by an angle θ.In general, angle θ can be between about 5° and 45°. Specifically, angleθ can be between about 10° and 40°. In one embodiment, angle θ can beabout 20°. The location of point A can be anywhere along the exterioredge of underlap 12 such that the underlap top edge 13 is narrower thanthe underlap bottom edge (not shown). For example, in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, the location of point A can be within about threeinches of underlap top edge 13. Specifically, point A can be less thanabout two inches below underlap top edge 13. More specifically, point Acan be about 1.5 inches below underlap top edge 13.

[0033] Similarly, line 26 can be altered from a vertical direction atpoint B by an angle θ′ which can be substantially equal in value toangle θ, but opposite in direction, though this is not a requirement.Point B, where the change in direction of line 26 occurs can be anywherealong the exterior edge of overlap 14 such that the overlap top edge 19is narrower than the overlap bottom edge (not shown). For example, inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, point B can be within about threeinches from overlap top edge 19. Specifically, point B can be less thanabout two inches from overlap top edge 19. More specifically, point Bcan be about 1.5 inches below overlap top edge 19. In one embodiment ofthe shirt, line 26 can be a mirror image of line 24.

[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, both underlap top edge13 and overlap top edge 19 can be attached to the bottom edge ofneckband 16 at either end of the neckband. The top edge of neckband 16,in turn, can be attached to the bottom edge of collar 18. As can be seenin FIG. 1, the ends of both neckband 16 and collar 18 can be cut at thesame angles from vertical as are the corresponding exterior edges ofoverlap 14 and underlap 12. One of the side edges of the neckband 16 andone of the side edges of collar 18 can then be aligned with each otherand the exterior edge of overlap 14 to define line 26. Similarly, theother side edge of neckband 16 and the other side edge of collar 18 canbe aligned with each other and the exterior edge of underlap 12 to formline 24. In this manner, when the shirt is assembled, line 24 and line26 can continue from the points A and B respectively to the top edge ofcollar 18 in substantially straight lines. However, a straightcontinuous line for line 24 and/or line 26 is not specifically required.For example, the lines 24 and 26 could also include elements ofcurvature for aesthetic or other purposes.

[0035]FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the shirt of thepresent invention. As can be seen in FIG. 5, shirt 50 is similar toshirt 10, shown in FIG. 1, save for the extension of the fastening panelto the bottom edge of collar 518. In this particular embodiment, the twoouter edges of neckband 516, do not extend to lines 524 and 526,respectively, but rather meet the inner edges of the overlap 514 and theunderlap 512. As such, line 524 is formed of the outer edge of theunderlap 512 and one side edge of collar 518, and line 526 is formed ofthe outer edge of the overlap 514 and the other side edge of collar 518.Due to the increased length of the fastening panel in this embodiment,the distance between top button 515 and underlap top edge 513 will besimilarly increased over the distances described in the embodiment ofFIG. 1.

[0036] For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the center of topbutton 515 can be between about 1.5 and about 4 inches below underlaptop edge 513. Specifically, the center of top button 515 can be betweenabout 1.5 and about 2.5 inches below underlap top edge 513.

[0037] Similarly, both the distance between underlap top edge 513 andpoint 5A and the distance between overlap top edge 519 and point 5B onthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 can be between about 1.5 and about5 inches. Specifically, both the distance between underlap top edge 513and point 5A and the distance between overlap top edge 519 and point 5Bon the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 can be between about 2.0 andabout 4.0 inches. More specifically, point 5A can be about 3 inchesbelow underlap top edge 513 and point 5B can be about 3 inches belowoverlap top edge 519.

[0038] Additionally, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, line 524has been rounded somewhat at point 5A as has line 526 at point 5B topresent a softer look to lines 524 and 526.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, the fastening panel of the shirtfront can be further extended up the collar of the shirt to any desiredpoint, up to the point where the inner edges of the underlap and theoverlap meet the outer edges of the collar. In such an embodiment, thedistance between the top of the underlap and the top button as well asthe distances between the top of the fastening panel and the points ofchange of direction of the overlap and underlap would be similarlyextended. No matter how far up the shirt front the fastening panelextends, the top button and the points of direction change on thefastening panel should be located on the fastening panel such that theyare at least about 1.5 inches below the fold line of the collar area.The fold line of the collar area being defined as that line where thecollar area folds or rolls over itself when the shirt is worn. This linewould be roughly equivalent to the bottom edge of the collar in bothFIG. 1 and FIG. 5.

[0040] In yet another alternative embodiment, the neckband and thecollar of the shirt can be formed together as one collar piece, ratherthan as two separate pieces sewn or otherwise attached together.

[0041] Due to the angled portions of line 26 and line 24 of FIG. 1, oralternatively line 526 and 524 of FIG. 5, the overlap top edge and theunderlap top edge will be narrower than their corresponding bottomedges. For example, the width of the overlap top edge and the underlaptop edge can be less than about 75% of the width of their correspondingbottom edges. More specifically, the width of the overlap top edge andthe underlap top edge can be less than about 67% of the width of theircorresponding bottom edges. The bottom edges of the overlap and theunderlap can any desired width. For example, the bottom edges of both ofthe overlap and the underlap can be between about 1.0 inches and 2.0inches. In one possible embodiment, the bottom edges of the overlap andthe underlap can be about 1.5 inches in width. In such an embodiment,the corresponding top edges of the overlap and the underlap can be lessthan about 1.0 inch in width.

[0042] In accordance with the present invention, the shirt size at neckband 16 can adjust as required by the wearer. As shown in FIG. 2, whenshirt 10 of the present invention is worn with a tie 20, tie 20 cancover the two side edges of neckband 16, with collar 18 folded down overtie 20 and neckband 16. The broken lines of FIG. 2 illustrate sectionsof shirt 10 which are covered by illustrated portions of tie 20.

[0043] Top button 15 is located near the top of the fastening panel butbelow the knot of necktie 20. The location of top button 15 allows theneck size of shirt 10 to vary as desired by the wearer. For example,should it be necessary to increase the circumference of the shirt neck,whether due to shirt shrinkage, increase in neck circumference, or forany other reason, the edges of the shirt located under the tie are ableto pull apart from each other, even when top button 15 is fastened, thusincreasing the neck size of the shirt.

[0044] When worn with tie 20, line 26 of shirt 10 in the collar areawill be substantially covered by tie 20 and will only be visible wherecollar 18 extends above tie 20. Thus the angled portions of line 24 andline 26 below the fold of collar 18 can be covered by tie 20.

[0045]FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a prior art shirt 110. As shown,the underlap 112, overlap 114 and neckband 116 are not angled, as in thepresent invention, but rather squared off at the top edges with the sideedges of collar 118 set back from the side edges of the neckband 116. Ifan attempt is made to increase shirt neck size, by, for example,unfastening top button 115, neckband 116 can rotate or slide up or downand a portion of neckband 116, particularly the squared-off ends, canstick out above or below the knot of the tie. This problem is avoided bythe shirt of the present invention. Because of the angles of line 24 andline 26, as well as the alignment of the various pieces of the shirt atthe outer edges, should the ends of neckband 16 rotate slightly as theypull apart when neck circumference is increased, there are no neckbandcorners to stick up above the knot of the tie in an unsightly manner.The smooth lines of the shirt can be maintained throughout the increaseor decrease of the neck size.

[0046] Additionally, the angles of lines 24 and 26 can allow the shirtof the present invention to be manufactured using less material thanwould be the case for prior art shirt 110, due to the smaller fasteningpanel and neckband areas.

[0047] When wearing prior art shirt 110 with a tie, a gap can formbetween the underlap 112 and overlap 114 in the distance between the topbutton 115, located on the neckband 116, and button 117, located onunderlap 112. This effect most often occurs when the top button 115 hasbeen unfastened under the knot of the tie. Attempts have been made toovercome this problem in the past by, for example, adding an additionalfastener at the top of the underlap, immediately below the neckband.This is not a problem with the shirt of the present invention, however,due to the location of the top fastener on the fastening panel ratherthan on the neckband. The top two buttons of the present shirt can beclose enough together to prevent gapping without added buttons on thefastening panel, in fact, fewer buttons can be used in the presentshirt, for additional cost savings in manufacturing. The fastening panelof the present invention can lay flat and present a neat, professionalappearance while the expansion capability at the neck allows for anextended comfortable fit.

[0048] In addition to providing an improved dress shirt, the shirt ofthe present invention is also an improvement over prior art shirts whenworn in a more casual setting. While prior art dress shirts canobviously be worn without a tie, they appear to be just that, a dressshirt worn without a tie. The shirt of the present invention, however,is not only an attractive dress shirt, but also presents an improvementin appearance when worn without a tie.

[0049]FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention whenworn in an open-neck fashion. As can be seen, line 24 and line 26provide smooth, unbroken lines all the way to the top edge of collar 18.When the collar 18 of the shirt is folded down, as in the open neckarrangement displayed in FIG. 3, these straight collar lines provide avery neat, attractive look to shirt 10. Prior art shirts, such as thatof FIG. 4 present a jagged collar line when worn in an open neck styledue to the combination of the vertical cut of the fastening panel andthe neckband, the squared top edges of neckband 116 as well as theoffset between the side edges of neckband 116 and the corresponding sideedges of collar 118.

[0050] As previously stated, in one particular embodiment, the shirt ofthe present invention can be designed with a placket style fasteningpanel, rather than a completely open front in which the fastening panelextends the length of the shirt front. Many sport shirts are designedwith such a placket front. In this particular embodiment then, when theshirt is worn without a tie, it is a sport shirt rather than a casuallyworn dress shirt. In either case, however, with or without a placketfront, the shirt includes the improved collar line.

[0051] In one embodiment of the invention, the collar area of the shirtcan be made fairly stiff, such that the collar and fastening panel canremain essentially upright even if button 17 as well as button 15 is notfastened, as shown in FIG. 3. With added levels of inflexibility of thefastening panel, the shirt front can be formed to remain essentiallyupright, even when worn with all buttons unfastened. Thus, the shirt canbe quite loose and comfortable in the collar area, while maintaining thedesired neat, yet casual appearance. Stiffness in the collar area canalso allow the collar to fold over the neckband in a soft invertedU-shaped fold, rather than the sharp inverted V-shaped fold found inmany shirts when worn without a tie. The stiffness of the collar area ofthe shirt can be created in any suitable manner. For example, the shirtcan be made of a stiff material such as a heavy corduroy or a heavychamois material. Alternatively, the shirt can include a stiffener, suchas a layer of interfacing material, within any or all of the fasteningpanel, the neckband and/or the collar in order to provide the desiredamount of stiffness to the collar area and maintain the desired look ofthe shirt. An inner layer can be any suitable layer, such as aninterfacing fabric material, a plastic material such as a collar stay,or any other suitable material.

[0052] These and other modifications and variations to the presentinvention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art,without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention,which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. Inaddition, it should be understood that aspects of the variousembodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore,those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoingdescription is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit theinvention so further described in such appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shirt comprising: an underlap comprising anunderlap top edge, an underlap bottom edge, and an underlap exterioredge, said underlap bottom edge being wider than said underlap top edge;an overlap comprising an overlap top edge, an overlap bottom edge, andan overlap exterior edge, said overlap bottom edge being wider than saidoverlap top edge; a top fastener, said top fastener providing aremovable attachment between said underlap and said overlap; a neckband,said neckband comprising a neckband top edge, a neckband bottom edge,and first and second neckband side edges, said neckband bottom edgebeing attached to said underlap top edge and said overlap top edge, saidfirst neckband side edge being aligned with and forming a continuationof said overlap exterior edge, said second neckband side edge beingaligned with and forming a continuation of said underlap exterior edge;and a collar comprising a collar bottom edge and first and second collarside edges, said collar bottom edge being attached to said neckband topedge, said first collar side edge being aligned with and forming acontinuation of said first neckband side edge, said second collar sideedge being aligned with and forming a continuation of said secondneckband side edge.
 2. The shirt of claim 1, wherein said overlap andsaid underlap form a placket.
 3. The shirt of claim 2, wherein saidplacket is less than about 14 inches in length.
 4. The shirt of claim 2,wherein said placket is less than about 11 inches in length.
 5. Theshirt of claim 1, wherein said top fastener is attached to said underlapbelow said top underlap edge and removably attachable to said overlap.6. The shirt of claim 5, wherein said top fastener is a button.
 7. Theshirt of claim 1, wherein said top fastener is selected from the groupconsisting of a button, a snap, a hook, a hook and loop fastener, and astud.
 8. The shirt of claim 1, wherein the width of said overlap bottomedge is between about 1.0 and about 2.0 inches and the width of saidunderlap bottom edge is between about 1.0 and about 2.0 inches.
 9. Theshirt of claim 1, wherein the width of said overlap top edge is lessthan about 75% of the width of said overlap bottom edge and the width ofsaid underlap top edge is less than about 75% of the width of saidunderlap bottom edge.
 10. The shirt of claim 1, wherein any of saidoverlap, said underlap, said collar, and said neckband further comprisean inner layer.
 11. A shirt comprising: an underlap comprising anunderlap top edge, an underlap bottom edge, and an underlap exterioredge, said underlap exterior edge defining a first line, said first lineextending from said underlap bottom edge to a first point, said firstline changing direction at said first point by a first angle such thatthe width of said underlap top edge is less than the width of saidunderlap bottom edge; an overlap comprising an overlap top edge, anoverlap bottom edge, and an overlap exterior edge, said overlap exterioredge defining a second line, said second line extending from saidoverlap bottom edge to a second point, said second line changingdirection at said second point by a second angle such that the width ofsaid overlap top edge is less than the width of said overlap bottomedge; a top fastener, said top fastener providing a removable attachmentbetween said underlap and said overlap at a point below said overlap andunderlap top edges; a neckband, said neckband comprising a neckband topedge, a neckband bottom edge, and first and second neckband side edges,said neckband bottom edge being attached to said underlap top edge andsaid overlap top edge, said first neckband side edge being aligned withand forming a continuation of said first line, said second neckband sideedge being aligned with and forming a continuation of said second line;and a collar comprising a collar bottom edge attached to said neckbandtop edge, a first collar side edge being aligned with and forming acontinuation of said first line, and a second collar side edge beingaligned with and forming a continuation of said second line.
 12. Theshirt of claim 11, wherein said overlap and said underlap form aplacket, said placket being less than about 14 inches in length.
 13. Theshirt of claim 11, wherein said first and second angle are between about10° and about 45°.
 14. The shirt of claim 11, wherein said first andsecond angle are between about 15° and about 40°.
 15. The shirt of claim11, wherein said second line is a mirror image of said first line. 16.The shirt of claim 11, wherein said top fastener is a button locatedless than about two inches below said neckband bottom edge.
 17. Theshirt of claim 11, wherein said top fastener is selected from the groupconsisting of a button, a snap, a hook, and a stud.
 18. The shirt ofclaim 11, wherein the width of said overlap bottom edge is between about1.0 inches and about 2.0 inches, and the width of said underlap bottomedge is between about 1.0 inches and about 2.0 inches.
 19. The shirt ofclaim 11, wherein the width of said overlap top edge is less than about75% of the width of said overlap bottom edge, and the width of saidunderlap top edge is less than about 75% of the width of said underlapbottom edge.
 20. The shirt of claim 11, wherein any of said overlap,said underlap, said collar, and said neckband further comprise an innerlayer.
 21. A shirt comprising: an underlap comprising an underlap topedge, an underlap bottom edge, and an underlap exterior edge, saidunderlap bottom edge being wider than said underlap top edge; an overlapcomprising an overlap top edge, an overlap bottom edge, and an overlapexterior edge, said overlap bottom edge being wider than said overlaptop edge; a top fastener, said top fastener providing a removableattachment between said underlap and said overlap; and a collarcomprising first and second collar side edges, said collar beingattached to said underlap top edge and said overlap top edge, said firstcollar side edge being aligned with and forming a continuation of saidoverlap exterior edge, said second collar side edge being aligned withand forming a continuation of said underlap exterior edge.
 22. The shirtof claim 21, wherein said overlap and said underlap form a placket. 23.The shirt of claim 22, wherein said placket is less than about 15 inchesin length.
 24. The shirt of claim 21, wherein said top fastener isattached to said underlap below said top underlap edge and removablyattachable to said overlap.
 25. The shirt of claim 24, wherein said topfastener is between about 1.5 inches and about 4 inches below said topunderlap edge.
 26. The shirt of claim 21, wherein said top fastener islocated at a point at least about 1.5 inches below the fold line of thecollar area.
 27. The shirt of claim 21, wherein said top fastener isselected from the group consisting of a button, a snap, a hook, a hookand loop fastener, and a stud.
 28. The shirt of claim 21, wherein thewidth of said overlap bottom edge is between about 1.0 and about 2.0inches and the width of said underlap bottom edge is between about 1.0and about 2.0 inches.
 29. The shirt of claim 21, wherein the width ofsaid overlap top edge is less than about 75% of the width of saidoverlap bottom edge and the width of said underlap top edge is less thanabout 75% of the width of said underlap bottom edge.
 30. The shirt ofclaim 21, wherein any of said overlap, said underlap, and said collarfurther comprise an inner layer.
 31. A shirt comprising: an underlapcomprising an underlap bottom edge having a width of about 1.5 inches,an underlap top edge having a width less than about 1.0 inch, anunderlap interior edge, and an underlap exterior edge, said underlapexterior edge defining a first line, said first line being a verticalline from said underlap bottom edge to a first point, said first linechanging direction at said first point by a first angle; an overlapcomprising an overlap top edge having a width of less than about 1.0inches, an overlap bottom edge having a width of about 1.5 inches, anoverlap interior edge, and an overlap exterior edge, said overlapexterior edge defining a second line, said second line being a verticalline from said overlap bottom edge at a second point, said second linechanging direction at said second point by a second angle, said secondline being a mirror image of said first line; a top button, said topbutton being attached to either of said underlap or said overlap suchthat said overlap may be removably attached to said underlap, saidremovable attachment being located at least about 1.5 inches below saidunderlap top edge; a collar comprising a first and second collar edge,said underlap and overlap being attached to said collar such that saidfirst collar edge is aligned with and forms a continuation of said firstline, and said second collar edge is aligned with and forms acontinuation of said second line; a shirt body, said shirt body beingattached to said underlap interior edge, said overlap interior edge, andsaid collar; and first and second sleeves attached to said shirt body.32. The shirt of claim 31, wherein said overlap and said underlap form aplacket.
 33. The shirt of claim 31, wherein any of said overlap, saidunderlap, and said collar further comprise an inner layer.
 34. The shirtof claim 31, wherein said first angle is between about 15° and about45°.